Revamp of Colloseum’s south area

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The studio Stefano Boeri Interiors, founded by architects Stefano Boeri and Giorgio Donà, has finished redeveloping the semicircular area outside the south boundary of the Colosseum in Rome, a space occupied by the amphitheater���s outer wall before its collapse in the 14th century. The conservation and enhancement project focused on restoring the spatial legibility of the arena’s southern perimeter, which was severely damaged by centuries of deterioration, and in particular by an earthquake in 1349. The intervention has recreated the original ambulatories, reconstructing the sequence through visual elements that evoke the exact spots of the structural pillars, enabling visitors to picture the amphitheater’s internal organization. The stepped platform surrounding the monument’s base was reconstructed and paved with travertine, reinstating the original ground level. This double perimeter step, which defines the base of the monument and acts as an architectural boundary between the Colosseum and the piazza, is still preserved in its original form on the north side. Between arches 65 and 70, an ‘archaeological window’ is created to reveal the original foundations and stratifications, displaying Roman building techniques as well as damages accumulated over the course of history. The intervention followed principles of reversibility, ensuring that additions carried out can be pulled out without affecting any ancient material, and was executed under the supervision of the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo.